Autism Approach

AUTISM – DAVIS AUTISM APPROACH®

For clients with Autism, there is first a meeting held with the parents, caregivers and/or support persons to discuss the specifics pertaining to the client and the program. This is a time to ensure that all involved have a clear understanding and all questions can be answered. Dr. Angie will then interview the client and begin to establish their relationship.

AGE: 8+DURATION: 2 weeks–6 months, but will take as long as needed for individual.

The foundation of the Davis Autism Approach® is to help Autistic individuals participate fully in life. This is accomplished in 3 stages:

THE CLIENT BEGINS TO REALIZE THAT THEY ARE AN INDIVIDUAL, AND SEPARATE FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS AND THINGS AROUND THEM.

“I AM A SEPARATE BEING.”

Individuation is a process that usually occurs naturally. This allows the human being to understand that they are separate from those people and things around them. It allows them to understand where their body is in space. If we do not individuate then we will have a hard time separating from everything and everyone around us and our perceptions will be mildly to severely affected. The first thing we do in a program is help the individual to individuate. We do this by giving them a tool (one best suited for them) to obtain ‘orientation’ – thereby giving them the ability to appreciate their separateness. With this, they can begin to develop a sense of ‘self’. We all require a sense of ‘self’ to build our identities or personalities upon. The amount of time this takes differs from person to person.

THE CLIENT BUILDS A FOUNDATION OF KEY LIFE CONCEPTS THAT ARE EITHER MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.

“WHO AM I?”

This is the second part of the program once individuation has occurred. As human beings we must have a ‘core’ identity in place on which to build or anchor new experiences. Most individuals develop this naturally once they have individuated and begin to experience life situations. For the autistic individual that has not individuated, the development of the ‘core’ identity is either incomplete or nonexistent. Therefore, this stage of the program is about development of identity. This is done by introducing ‘life concepts’, gently, by using the individuals talent for visualization and creativity. We facilitate the creation of the life concept in clay. After this construction, the individual is invited to appreciate the concept in life. This process of creating and then experiencing allows the concept to become part of self or identity. The concepts are presented in a precise sequence that allows them to build on one another to strengthen the understanding.

THE CLIENT GAINS AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW WE EXPERIENCE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS.

“HOW DO I RELATE TO OTHERS IN THIS WORLD?”

In this last phase of the program we facilitate the individual through an understanding of the foundations for the different ways in which we experience relationships with others. We use the clay to illustrate the concepts thereby adding this information to the identity that has been developed. Now, with their own knowledge and new experiences they will be able to participate fully in life.

LICENSED DAVIS® FACILITATOR. Professional services described as Davis®, Davis Dyslexia Correction®, Davis Symbol Mastery®, Davis Orientation Counseling®, and Davis Math Mastery® may only be provided by persons who are employed by a licensed Davis Specialist, or who are trained and licensed as Davis Facilitators by Davis Dyslexia Association International.

Davis Autism Approach® is a trademark of Ronald D. Davis. Commercial use of this trademark to identify educational, instructional, or therapeutic services requires licensing by the trademark owner.